Our longest-standing supplier is Charleston Forge, based in Boone, NC a few hours down the road from our showroom.   I have known Art Barber, the founder, for many years and have always admired his commitment to U.S. craftsmanship.   Their hand-forge product reflects that dedication and pride in the finished product.    We are always happy to place their product in a consumers home, because we know it will be an heirloom.

Here is an email sent by Art to his reps and retailers regarding U.S. manufacturing, and how we got to where we are today:

To emphasize our determination to manufacture and preserve jobs in America, we are displaying the American flag that flew on the warship that my father-in-law served on during World War II in our High Point showroom. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by so many Americans who give their lives to protect the privileges we enjoy today. It symbolizes how lucky we are to have the freedom to live, work and play in such a great country. It calls out to all who pass by that our furniture is MADE in AMERICA.

The USS Greiner, on which my father-in-law served during World War II.

We're passionate about what we make and where we make it and it hurts to see so many jobs lost from this country.  It's not easy being in business here, but then again, business is not easy anywhere! To compete with the world in our industry, we know that we have to be innovative, fashion focused, passionate, efficient and constantly evolving.  We're actually seeing an increase in orders and have expansion plans, so it's obvious to us that our market likes what we are doing. We will be showing table tops that an artist makes for us by melting glass and pouring it into molds. We've expanded our Warehouse Collection which features our signature metal frames and tops made with wood reclaimed from shipping pallets. We've added floor to ceiling mirrors (with acid etched mirror) and small upholstered stools to this collection. We made some display trolleys with metal frames and used old pine boards that we got from a Dutch cheese factory as the tops. (Come early, there are only a few available). New transitional and contemporary glass top coffee tables and drink tables by designer John Kolkka are spectacular. We even commissioned a local artist friend of ours to make us a line of jewelry that combines the same elements and techniques that we use in furniture making. Charleston Forge and jewelry, it's a natural! It's all simple yet sophisticated, casual but elegant, imperfect but perfect. If that flag could talk, we think it would say, "Well Done!" If you're coming to High Point, please come see us, and the flag!  We'll look forward to seeing you,

Art Barber           Founder and CEO             Charleston Forge

Win a Ceiling Fan in our "Worst Ceiling Fan Ever" Contest

Prize Details

We love doing contests here at Carolina Rustica, and recently came up with a great one, posted through our Facebook page.

An Emerson Designer Traditional Ceiling Fan in Oil Rubbed Bronze finish with Medium Oak and Dark Cherry reversible blades – The Designer Traditional Ceiling Fan epitomizes Emerson classic ceiling fan design, with its seamless motor housing, powerful 188mm x 15mm motor, and its many available options. You can create exactly the fan you are looking for at minimal cost, and with the assurance that Emerson is going to stand behind the fan for a lifetime! Other features include:

• 52 in. blade span with 14 degree blade pitch
• 5 Reversible Blades included
• Three forward and three reverse speeds
• Energy-Star rated
• Three Speed pull chain operation compatible with SW46, SW93, SW95, SR100 and SW101 controls
• Emerson light kit compatible
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• 80 in. lead wires for easy installation
• 3 1/2 in. downrod included
  Fan is a customer return still in box

Contest Instructions

Simply post a photo of your ceiling fan that you most need replaced. Entrants and our fans will then vote on the winner to receive a new fan to cool down when tax time heats up!

Prize Eligibility

Only persons residing in United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Contest Starts

March 23, 2011 @ 12:00 pm (EDT)

Contest Ends

April 11, 2011 @ 12:00 pm (EDT)

Click Here to Enter Our Contest by Showing Us Your Worst Ceiling Fan!

Tommy Bahama Beach House by Lexington Furniture

The latest Tommy Bahama introduction will be showcased at the High Point, North Carolina Furniture show this spring, and we could not be more excited!   Tommy Bahama Beach House designs encompass an eclectic mix of Coastal and Caribbean styling, with details like reeded posts and drawer fronts, bent rattan, leather-wrapped  bamboo, and woven cane.   In short, its everything you should expect from a Tommy Bahama collection. You can shop all Tommy Bahama Furniture at Carolina Rustica by clicking here

Beach House is a fun and casual interpretation of today’s laid back approach to weekend getaways. The vibe is one of casual comfort....Beach House is designed to offer an exceptional value to consumers looking for a relaxed lifestyle that is casual and cool — be it in a condo, a loft apartment, or a bungalow on the beach.  This Tommy Bahama group also has the full range of upholstery.  The seating showcases the beauty of carved wooden frames, woven rattan and bamboo accents in keeping with island tradition.

Click here to shop all Tommy Bahama Furniture Collections at Carolina Rustica

From Furniture Today: Robb & Stucky, RIP

Robb & Stucky has been a competitor of ours in the southeastern states for awhile now, and it looks like their struggles over the last 4 years are coming to an end.  Liquidation means it is very unlikely the retailer will come back as a viable entity.   We are sorry for the good folks who work there and lost their jobs as a result of over-aggressive expansion.

Court approves liquidator’s bid for Robb & Stucky

TAMPA, Fla. — A U.S. Bankruptcy Court here approved the sale of high-end retailer Robb & Stucky to liquidators Hudson Capital and Hyperams today in a deal likely to lead to the shutdown of the Top 100 company.

According to a local report, the court approved the sale at a hearing today. Hudson Capital and Hyperams were the stalking horse and only validated bidder at an auction that wrapped up early this morning.

read more on Furniture Today here....

Some New Northeast Lantern Fixtures...One of Our Favorites!

We have blogged about Northeast Lanterns before...they are one of our favorite, U.S.-made lighting manufacturers (one of the very few).  They just introduced a new collection which we are currently putting online...but imagine updating the interior of your home with new fixtures from Northeast Lanterns, and you will have a freshly updated spring look.

Take a look at their new Interior collection, which includes many new and updated chandeliers, ceiling fixtures, hanging fixtures, and table lamps (you can click here to visit their site).  They also have interior pieces from the Bosc collection, a new offering which incorporates a new glass shape never before offered by Northeast Lantern with the time tested beauty and durability of their popular Onion collection.  The Onion collection has long defined the look and success of Northeast Lanterns.   Another best-seller is the Heal Collection, pictured above.    Whichever design you choose, we know you will be absolutely impressed with the hand-crafted construction and finishes applied to this fantastic collection of colonial-style lighting.

A.R.T. Furniture is Online at Carolina Rustica

 A.R.T. Furniture may not be a furniture brand name you are immediately familiar with...but you should be!  We love the way this company uses technology and hand-crafting together to create a stunning variety of total furniture collections across all of the most popular styles.


British Heritage reflects upon a time when "the sun never set on the British Empire", and introduced English refinement to the world. This beautiful style is characterized by the sweeping curves of 18th century English designs combined with a hint of relaxed island living. Individual elements and some entire pieces are inspired by historical furnishings in governor's mansions and by the island colonial pieces preserved in Britain's finest manor homes. Embrace the classic elegance that is personified by the British Heritage Collection.

Deep River conveys expansive comfort in a rustic style through hand carved details like plank-style tops hewn from rustic veneers of the sugar maple. Wood pegged joinery, time worn edges and hand-rubbed, burnished surfaces add a sense of timelessness and quality. Generously scaled with coved crowns and a distinctive carved X theme, Deep River translates the natural appeal of the casual American lifestyle to the rigorous functional demands of the 21st Century. Click Here to Shop the ART Furniture British Heritage Collection on Carolina Rustica.

Deep River is crafted from Radiatta solids with wormy veneers, presented in a sun-drenched, hazelnut finish. Crossfire, mineral streaks and pin holes are grown within the maple tree itself and reflect the design and finish of the collection. The deep beveled edges of shaped “X” intersecting moldings present a dramatic architectural motif that travels throughout the collection, and the deep coving of the English Marlborough block foot conveys strength and solidity. Custom designed textured copper hardware features rings, knobs, bail pulls and back plates, all scaled to complement the substantial rustic look of the collection.  Click Here to Shop the ART Furniture Deep River Collection on Carolina Rustica.

Warwick, a relaxed traditional collection with European influences, is distinguished by dramatic book- and V-matched figured cathedral cherry veneers complemented by olive ash burl veneers. Finished in a warm buckeye brown, Warwick is distinctively detailed with rounded turret corners, molded frame overlays and exquisitely carved recessed pilasters. While its style is timeless, Warwick exemplifies up-to-the-minute functionality.

Radiatta solids, figured cathedral cherry and olive ash burl veneers creatively interplay throughout Warwick. The warm buckeye brown finish is textured by light physical distressing, burnishing and wormholes, evoking a “passed down through the ages” history. Custom hardware is finished in decorative antique brass with subtle highlights.  The ART Furniture Warwick Collection on Carolina Rustica will be online soon!

Click Here to Shop All ART Furniture at Carolina Rustica

More Info on The New Tommy Bahama Royal Kahala Collection

We are delighted that our newest collection from Tommy Bahama will soon be hitting the floor.   The Royal Kahala Collection is a true, upper end eclectic collection that features some of the most unique blendings of organic materials. Born of the fusion of fiery lava and the ocean surf, the captivating black sand beaches of Hawaii and Polynesia are among nature's most remarkable collaborations…and serve as inspiration for the exotic fusion of elements in Royal Kahala , the latest introduction from Tommy Bahama Home. The collection made its debut in October 2010 at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point in the Lexington Home Brands showroom. Carolina Rustica was one of the first North Carolina furniture retailers to buy into this new group, and it will certainly bolster our continued success in marketing the Tommy Bahama collections such as Ocean Club, Island Estate, Kingstown, and Tommy Bahama Original.

While Royal Kahala's design theme reflects a Pan-Pacific sensibility, the sophistication of the lifestyle is found in the mix of eclectic design influences – Ivory Coast , British Campaign and Colonial, Caribbean and Safari. The collection evokes a sense of romance and intrigue through the convergence of diverse design elements, exotic materials and rich finishes. The Tommy Bahama brand is known for its ability to capture the essence of inspired destination living, and translate that lifestyle, through distinctive furnishings, into a consumer's home decor.

Royal Kahala designs are crafted from Ribbon Stripe and Quartered Mahogany in a rich dark Kona finish. Select items are styled in leather-wrapped split rattan, and finished in an exotic Tortoise Shell finish. Other natural materials include Penn Shell, spilt bamboo, sugar cane, nail-trimmed leather, Coco Shell, woven wicker, and Raffia. Custom hardware is finished in antique brass with an aged patina. A signature item in the collection is a mirrored-front night stand with custom pulls made of Australian Blacklip Abalone Shell. This unique shell features an iridescent mother of pearl inner surface with a distinctive black lip around the outer edge, making an elegant statement.

The upholstery offering showcases five new color stories, ranging from a fresh take on Colonial blue and white patterns, to tropical groupings in jade, magenta and white, to dramatic correlations featuring signature Kuba-patterned textiles. Exquisitely carved frames in the deep Kona finish offer a striking contrast to the ivory-colored body fabrics and pops of bold color in the decorative pillows. Raffia is upholstered on key silhouettes, highlighting the role of natural materials in the interpretation of this lifestyle collection.

Click Here to begin shopping Tommy Bahama Royal Kahala

Some Words on Aico Furniture by Michael Amini

Last High Point market, I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Amini, the visionary behind the Amini Innovation Corp (or AICO, as it is known). Mr. Amini has grown this company from humble beginnings into a hugely successful furniture design and manufacturing source. His is an incredible story, really the epitomy of the American Dream. Mr. Amini is a creative person who loves fashion, design and innovation. He is deeply devoted to his family, his employees, his customers and the ability to make a difference in today's world with both his beautiful furniture designs and his compassionate philanthropic efforts. Also, he is perhaps the best dressed man in the furniture industry. When I saw him, he was wearing a cranberry-colored suit with a yellow tie and kerchief. It makes the rest of us suits feel rather dull!

AICO specializes in upholstery, bedroom, living room, dining room, and entertainment furniture.  These pieces are created for homeowners who demand the very best for their homes. Through careful planning and the exceptional ability to balance line and design, AICO makes certain that every element from Michael Amini’s travels is gracefully incorporated in each collection. From intricately carved headboards to velvet and cedar-lined drawers, AICO takes extra steps in highlighting design, style, and detail in each of its pieces. The unique mix of modern production techniques, craftsmanship, meticulous concern, and constant refinement ensure the integrity in construction in every Michael Amini product.

AICO has been a huge success for us here at Carolina Rustica. We have a seasoned AICO expert on staff who can answer just about any question you may have with regards to this company, its products, and of course, pricing and availability. Three of our best-selling collections are Cortina, Lavelle, and Chateau Beauvais.

Aico Cortina Collection	Aico Lavelle Blanc Collection	Aico Chateau Beauvais Collection

Shop each of these collections above, or click here to shop all of AICO Furniture by Michael Amini

From Retail Online Integration: A Carolina Rustica Forecast for 2011

From Retail Online Integration
2011 Cross-Channel Trends : Clear Skies Ahead: Recovery and Growth Forecasted for 2011
A panel of cross-channel retailers share their predictions for the year 
ahead

January 2011 By Meredith Cunningham

As we ring in a new year, many retailers are wondering what's in store for 2011. With an economy that's still bouncing back from the Great Recession, it's hard to predict the future (yet we're going to try anyway). For many retailers, 2010 proved to be a year of recovery. They're hoping to continue down that path again this year. To help you get a feel for what lies ahead, Retail Online Integration surveyed leaders in the cross-channel and e-commerce retail space in the fall of last year to get their predictions for 2011. Here's what we learned.

Marketing Best Practices for 2011
“Focus. It comes down to basics: What do you offer/sell at what price points so that you have a competitive advantage. Think about your competition as much as your customers. Rethink your business plan if you’re one of 100 other websites doing the same thing.”
— Richard Sexton , Carolina Rustica
“Understand the basic math behind your business. What’s your rebuy/retention rate? What’s your average yearly spend per customer? If you understand those, you understand how many new customers you need to fuel growth and hit your one year-, two year-, five year-sales goals. What’s the lifetime value of those new customers? How much can you invest in a new customer? How do these numbers differ between channel, media and program? Risk is unavoidable, but understanding the variables for the growth of your business allow you to take much more educated risks — and win more often.”
— Scott Drayer , Paul Fredrick
“Look for as many ways to extend your reach as you can. Don’t get fixated on one method or another. Innovate, try new things.”
— Brad Wolansky , The Golf Warehouse

A Positive Outlook
Richard Sexton , president of Carolina Rustica, a cross-channel retailer specializing in handcrafted iron and wood furniture, echoed Chesman's sentiments. "We're finishing up this year at about 30 percent over last year, and expect to see gains next year of about 20 percent to 
30 percent."

....read the entire article here

Furniture Takes Center Stage at Currey & Company

Although we recently posted about some new product introductions by Currey and Company, we are so excited about their new furniture offerings hitting the floor this spring.  Natural materials and handwork bring a unique character and charm to this selection of unique furniture.  The beauty of solid woods and fine veneers, hand carving, cast metal hardware and hand applied finishes make these pieces strongly appealing.  They stand on their own, or integrated with some of Currey's existing lighting groups.

The new Currey and Company furniture collection has all the character that the use of real materials and handcraftsmanship can bring. Finishes run the gamut from a simple wax on beautiful wood to a twenty step finishing process with exotic veneers. There are heavily distressed painted finishes covering the entire piece as well as sandblasted finishes that reveal the grain of the wood to the touch.  Many pieces have a look that mimics the patina of age.  The variety in this collection is unparalleled, which includes solid woods of European beech, mango, mindi, acacia, and certified Indonesian mahogany.  You’ll also find veneers of Macassar ebony, ash burl, English brown oak burl, Anhico, Satinwood, Lacewood and Mozambique. 

This is also furniture whose elements blend well with each other. At the same time, each piece may stand on its own, bringing something unique into the environment.  Design references draw on history, updated for today’s preferences.  And it is the perfect accompaniment to Currey & Company’s lighting and accessories.   One such example is the Pompadour Settee (shown at right), from this collection of fine upholstered seating. Double caning and multiple pillows make this a special addition for anywhere where smaller scaled seating is required. It may be small in scale, but the seat itself is extra comfortable with an extra thick down-wrapped foam cushion. The medium grey, hand applied finish has been antique washed and features gold leaf accents to bring out the details of the hand carving.

These new pieces are joined by Currey and Company’s collection of classic seating, introduced last spring, which delivers a distinctive look with premium finishes and exquisite tailoring. These seating pieces use hand carved wood frames from Italy and Indonesia, which are finished and upholstered in North Carolina by skilled craftsmen and women.  Some particular favorite pieces are the Rochette Console Table.  This piece evokes a feeling of discovery when you first set eyes upon it with its fine details of hand carving and a “nearly naked” (actually a lightly waxed) finish.  You can imagine it being discovered out in the barn and instead of going to the woodpile, it has become a highlight of the foyer or living room.

We also like the Cranbourne Tall Cabinet is aptly named and its height and narrow width make it useful in many spaces.  A pair of them would be very dramatic in a library, dining or media room. Taupe stain and wax bring out the natural beauty of the mango wood.  One of a kind, heavily antiqued mirror instead of wood panels for the doors adds to its unique look. . In the same style and finishes as the Canbourne Tall Cabinet is the Cranbourne Cabinet, which is a most practical piece because of its size. This is the extra storage (25”wide x 16” deep x 48” tall) that will fit in almost any space - including the bath -and provides that extra bit of storage required for books, towels, CD/DVD’s and a multitude of other items.

The Astrid Occasional Table is a sweetheart of a small table with a clean wood oak finish top and painted base. Hand carved detail on the pedestal base and trim detail around the top add interest to its function as it sits perfectly beside a chair or as a display table anywhere in the house.

Currey and Company’s Cecil Adams sees himself as “the curator” of this new furniture collection.  He describes himself as having worked with a talented group of designers and resources in selecting a definitive group of items that reflect the Currey & Company aesthetic and that complement the other product categories. Cecil also gives credit to Brownlee Currey for the role he played in a “global shopping trip” for the initial development of the collection and his support in bringing it to market in a fairly short period of time.   

Shop all Currey and Company's Furniture Collections here!